VERTEBRATES : MAMMALS. 



Fig. 68. The American Tapir, T. ameri- 



canus, Linn., of South America, is 

 about the size of the ass, skin brown 

 and nearly naked, and the neck 

 fleshy, forming a sort of crest on 

 the nape. The Indian Tapir, T, 

 Head of the Tapir. iiidictis, Park., of Sumatra and ad- 



jacent regions, is larger than the American species. The 

 remains of extinct Tapirs are found in Europe, one of 

 which must have nearly equalled the elephant in size. 

 The Genus Paleotherium and allied genera comprise 

 extinct, more or less tapir-like Pachyderms, the remains 

 of which abound in the Paris basin, and in other parts of 

 France, as well as in America. Both Rhinoceridae and 

 the next family are well represented in the fossils found 

 in Nebraska, a region rich in the remains of extinct 

 Pachyderms and other animals. 



SUID/E, OR SWINE FAMILY. This Family comprises 

 much smaller Pachyderms than those before described, 

 with a more compressed body, pointed head, large ears, 

 blunt snout, slender legs, hoofs in pairs, and the skin 

 covered with bristles. 



The Genus 5?/^--Hogs has the feet with two large 

 middle toes armed with strong hoofs, and two much 

 shorter lateral ones that hardly touch the ground. The 

 number of incisors is variable, the canines project from 

 the mouth and curve upwards, and the muzzle terminates 

 in a sort of truncated button fitted for turning up the 

 earth. 



The Wild Boar, 5. scropha, Linn., is the parent stock 

 of all the varieties of the domestic hog. It has a short 

 and thick body, straight ears, black bristly hair, and 

 angular tusks which curve outwards and upwards. The 

 young are striped black and white. When wounded, the 

 wild boar is ferocious and formidable. These animals 



